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Guinness is one of the most consumed and popular Irish beers in the world.
Famous for being dark, creamy, and foamy, Guinness stouts are made from water, malted and roasted barley, hops, and yeast (1).
The company has over 250 years of brewing history and sells its beer in 150 countries.
This comprehensive review tells you all you need to know about Guinness, including its different varieties, their ABVs, and their nutrition facts.

Beer is made from four key ingredients — water, cereal grains, spices, and yeast.
Guinness’s choice of grain is barley, which is first malted, then roasted, to give it its dark shade and characteristic richness (2).
Hops are the spices used to add flavor, and Guinness yeast — a particular strain that’s been passed on for generations — ferments sugars to produce alcohol in the beer (
Lastly, Guinness added nitrogen to their beers in the late 1950s, providing them with their iconic creaminess.
Nutrition facts
It’s estimated that a 12-ounce (355-ml) serving of Guinness Original Stout provides (4):
- Calories: 125
- Carbs: 10 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
- Fat: 0 grams
- Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.2%
- Alcohol: 11.2 grams
Given that beer is made from grains, it’s naturally rich in carbs. However, many of its calories also come from its alcohol content since alcohol provides 7 calories per gram (
In this case, the 11.2 grams of alcohol in 12 ounces (355 ml) of Guinness contribute 78 calories, which accounts for roughly 62% of its total calorie content.
Thus, the calorie count for various types of Guinness is highly influenced by their alcohol content, as well as their particular recipe.
SummaryGuinness beers are made from malted and roasted barley, hops, Guinness yeast, and nitrogen. Their nutritional value varies according to the specific recipe and alcohol content.
Alcohol by volume (ABV) is a standard measure used around the world to determine the amount of alcohol in an alcoholic beverage.
It is expressed as a volume percent and represents the milliliters (ml) of pure alcohol in 100 ml of the beverage.
The U.S. Dietary Guidelines urge consumers to limit their alcohol intake to two drinks per day for men and one for women (
One standard drink equivalent is defined as providing 0.6 ounces (14 grams) of pure alcohol (
For example, a 12-ounce (355-ml) Guinness Original Stout at 4.2% ABV corresponds to 0.84 standard drinks.
Note that drink equivalents take into account the volume of the beverage. Therefore, if you have a larger or smaller serving, it will vary accordingly.
Since one drink equivalent contains 14 grams of alcohol, and each gram provides 7 calories, each drink equivalent would contribute 98 calories from alcohol alone to the beverage.
SummaryThe ABV tells you how much alcohol is in an alcoholic beverage. It’s also used to determine drink equivalents, which may help estimate the calories from alcohol in a drink.
Types of Guinness beers, their ABVs, and calories
(Video) Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Review - Coffee Forward Guinness!
Types of Guinness beers, their ABVs, and calories
There are seven types of Guinness beers available in the United States (7).
The following table offers a brief overview of each, along with their ABVs, standard drink equivalents for a 12-ounce (355-ml) serving, and calories from alcohol for the same serving size.
Type | ABV | Standard drink equivalent | Calories from alcohol |
---|---|---|---|
Guinness Draught | 4.2% | 0.8 | 78 |
Guinness Over the Moon Milk Stout | 5.3% | 1 | 98 |
Guinness Blonde | 5% | 1 | 98 |
Guinness Extra Stout | 5.6% | 1.1 | 108 |
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout | 7.5% | 1.5 | 147 |
Guinness 200th Anniversary Export Stout | 6% | 1.2 | 118 |
Guinness Antwerpen | 8% | 1.6 | 157 |
In addition to these varieties, Guinness has created many types of beers over the years. Some of them are sold only in certain countries, while others have been limited editions.
The seven sold in the United States are outlined below.
1. Guinness Draught
Guinness Draught was developed in 1959 and has been the top-selling Guinness beer ever since.
It has the distinctive black color of a Guinness beer while feeling smooth and velvety to the palate.
Just like the Guinness Original Stout, this beer has an ABV of 4.2%.
This means it has a drink equivalent of 0.8 for every 12 ounces (355 ml) of beer and thus provides 78 calories solely from alcohol.
2. Guinness Over the Moon Milk Stout
This milk stout is a sweeter variety than Guinness’s regular beers.
Brewed with added lactose — milk’s natural sugar — alongside a series of specialty malts, this beer has an espresso and chocolate aroma.
Yet, Guinness does not recommend this product for consumers who may be sensitive or allergic to dairy or lactose.
The Guinness Over the Moon Milk Stout has an ABV of 5.3%, granting it a drink equivalent of 1 for every 12 ounces (355 ml), meaning that it packs 98 calories from alcohol alone.
3. Guinness Blonde
The Guinness Blonde twins the Irish and American brewing traditions for a refreshing, citrusy taste.
This golden beer achieves its unique flavor by switching the regular Mosaic hops for Citra hops.
Its ABV of 5% means that it yields 98 calories from alcohol and accounts for 1 drink equivalent per 12 ounces (355 ml).
4. Guinness Extra Stout
It’s said that the Guinness Extra Stout is the precursor to every Guinness innovation.
This pitch-black beer has a peculiar bittersweet flavor often described as sharp and crisp.
Its ABV stands at 5.6%, conferring it a drink equivalent of 1.1 for every 12 ounces (355 ml), which translates to 108 calories from alcohol.
5. Guinness Foreign Extra Stout
The Guinness Foreign Extra Stout has a stronger flavor that’s also fruity to the palate.
The secret to its particular taste is the use of extra hops and a stronger ABV, which were initially meant to preserve the beer during long overseas excursions.
This beer has an ABV of 7.5%. Its drink equivalent for every 12 ounces (355 ml) is 1.5. Thus, it packs a whopping 147 calories just from its alcohol content.
6. Guinness 200th Anniversary Export Stout
This variety celebrates 200 years of Guinness in America and was designed to bring to life a recipe that dates back to 1817.
It has a dark ruby-red color with a slight chocolate flavor.
Its ABV of 6% means that 12 ounces (355 ml) equal 1.2 drink equivalents. That’s 118 calories from alcohol alone.
7. Guinness Antwerpen
The Guinness Antwerpen variety arrived in Belgium in 1944 and has remained highly sought ever since.
It’s produced using a lower hop rate, giving it a less bitter taste and a light and creamy texture.
However, a lower hop rate doesn’t mean a lower alcohol content. In fact, with an ABV of 8%, this beer has the highest ABV of the varieties on this list.
Therefore, 12 ounces (355 ml) of Guinness Antwerpen has a drink equivalent of 1.6, which translates to 157 calories from alcohol alone.
SummaryThe many types of Guinness beers vary in flavor, texture, and color. Their ABV also differs greatly, ranging from 4.2–8%.
The brand’s famous 1920s slogan “Guinness is good for you” has little to do with an actual health claim.
All the same, this beer contains some antioxidants. Its barley and hops provide a significant amount of polyphenols — powerful antioxidants that help your body combat unstable molecules called free radicals (
Around 70% of polyphenols in beer come from barley, while the remaining 30% comes from hops (
Aside from their potent antioxidant activities, polyphenols offer cholesterol-lowering properties and decrease platelet aggregation, reducing your risk of heart disease and blood clots, respectively (
Still, the downsides of regular drinking beer and other alcohol outweigh any potential benefits. Excessive alcohol intake is linked to depression, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions.
Thus, you should always drink Guinness and other alcoholic beverages in moderation.
SummaryAlthough Guinness provides some antioxidants, its negative effects are greater than any health benefits. Excessive alcohol intake harms your health, so be sure to drink in moderation.
Guinness beers are recognized for their dark color and foamy texture.
While you may believe that the intensity of their color and flavor equals a high calorie content, this isn’t always the case. Rather, these attributes result from the roasted barley and the amount of hops used for brewing.
The calorie load of the different types of Guinness is instead highly influenced by their alcohol content or ABV.
While both their barley and hops confer Guinness with antioxidant properties, you should remember to indulge in beer in moderation to reduce your risk of negative health effects.
FAQs
What is the ABV of Guinness? ›
Ranging from 4.1% to 4.3% ABV (alcohol by volume, if you're wondering), Guinness has a lower alcohol content than many of the other beers and ales at the bar. It also contains around 125 calories, which again is fewer than many other beers are packing in. Some premium lagers contain as much as 160 calories per pint.
Is Guinness more alcoholic than beer? ›Myth: Guinness is high in alcohol
Guinness isn't boozier than most other beers. In fact, it contains less alcohol by volume than a typical draught. An average beer contains 5% ABV, while Guinness clocks in at just 4.2%.
Throughout the bulk of its history, Guinness produced only three variations of a single beer type: porter or single stout, double or extra and foreign stout for export.
Is Guinness high in sugar? ›Back in the day, Guinness was advertised as being healthy, but nowadays it contains five teaspoons of sugar (real liquid sugar!). There are three teaspoons in even lager.
Can a diabetic drink Guinness stout? ›BOTTOM LINE. Moderate alcohol consumption (no more than one to two drinks per day) is perfectly safe for most people with diabetes.
Is Guinness beer good for kidneys? ›Besides the fact that Guinness helps prevent and reduce heart disease, kidney stones and blood clots, Guinness is actually relatively low calorie, has lots of minerals in it, and is beneficial for breast feeding mothers to drink.
How many carbs and sugar are in a Guinness beer? ›...
How Much Sugar Is In A Pint Of Guinness?
738 KJ | 177Kcal | 0g Fat |
---|---|---|
14g Carbohydrates | 1g Sugar | 2g Protein |
It contains folate, fiber, and ferulic acid Guinness contains more folate, a nutrient we need to make DNA, than any other beer. And it's high in barley, which makes it one of the beers with the highest levels of fiber (while Bud Light and most other light beers don't contain any.
Is Guinness good for your liver? ›Despite the folate and prebiotics, Guinness is still alcohol. Consuming too much can impair judgment and wreak havoc on the liver.
Is Guinness good for your stomach? ›Researchers say stouts contain significant amounts of antioxidants, B vitamins and prebiotics, which promote the growth of "good" bacteria in your gut. And since Guinness contains a lot of unmalted barley, it is also one of the beers with the highest levels of fiber.
Does Guinness help you sleep? ›
If you must eat before going to bed, try some turkey, it's believed to be a mood lifter that helps induce sleep. If you fancy something a little stronger, Guinness comes highly recommended as the hops in it can make you very sleepy.
Which Guinness is the strongest? ›The Foreign Extra Stout is Guinness' strongest beer at 7.5 percent alcohol by volume.
Which Guinness is best? ›1) Black & Tan. This is widely considered the original Guinness beer blend. You could even say this mix shows the real pride of the Irish having Bass, a beer with British origins, underneath the mighty Guinness.
What is the difference between Guinness and Guinness stout? ›Guinness Stout is a dark beer that is made with roasted barley. It is brewed at a lower temperature than Guinness Draught, so it has a slightly different flavor. Guinness Extra Stout is also brewed with roasted barley, but it is brewed at a higher temperature and has a more intense flavor.
Is Guinness good for weight loss? ›The diet is not promoted by the Guinness company or by any reputable lifestyle health or diet companies, but rather appears to be a beer myth. Moreover, any weight loss experienced by this so-called diet is likely water loss and due to the fact that you're not really consuming any solid food.
Why does Guinness make you fart? ›“As a general rule, the more bitter tasting, the more acid secreted”. In summary, excess Guinness and carbohydrates upset the flora in your gut, and they retaliate by producing foul smelling farts. So now. The only solution to lessening your potent Guinness farts, is to drink less Guinness.
What drink lowers blood sugar? ›When participants in the study drank one cup of chamomile tea after meals three times per day for six weeks, they showed a reduction in blood sugar levels, insulin, and insulin resistance.
How many cubes of sugar is in Guinness stout? ›Guinness has 1g of sugar in a 500 ml can i.e. 0.2 g per 100ml. Plenty of carb but it the sugars have neen fermented to alcohol. Diageo are quite proud of Guiness being the first global beer brand to have published nutritional data.
What alcohol is lowest in sugar? ›"Clear liquors like vodka, tequila, and gin are lowest in sugar and calories and are easiest for our bodies to metabolize," Kober says.
Is Guinness good for your liver? ›Despite the folate and prebiotics, Guinness is still alcohol. Consuming too much can impair judgment and wreak havoc on the liver.
Is Guinness the healthiest beer? ›
It contains folate, fiber, and ferulic acid Guinness contains more folate, a nutrient we need to make DNA, than any other beer. And it's high in barley, which makes it one of the beers with the highest levels of fiber (while Bud Light and most other light beers don't contain any.
Is Guinness good for your stomach? ›Researchers say stouts contain significant amounts of antioxidants, B vitamins and prebiotics, which promote the growth of "good" bacteria in your gut. And since Guinness contains a lot of unmalted barley, it is also one of the beers with the highest levels of fiber.
Which beer has the highest alcohol content? ›1. Brewmeister Snake Venom. While it sadly doesn't contain real venom, the Snake Venom from Brewmeister is just as deadly. At 67.5% ABV, the brew is not only the highest ABV beer in the world, it's also one of the most worrisome.